AQUA ACES
DIVING CLUB
CONSTITUTION
JANUARY 2000
REVISION
AQUA ACES DIVING CLUB
2000 CONSTITUTION REVISION
Table of Contents
ARTICLE IPage - 4
Section A - Club Purpose
Section B - Purpose
ARTICLE IIPage - 4
Section A - Types of Memberships
Section B - Membership Requirements
Section C - Manner of Election to Membership
Section D - Duties of Members
Section E - Maximum Membership
Section F - Dual Membership
ARTICLE IIIPage - 7
Section A - Officer Titles
Section B - Election and Tenure
Section C - Eligibility
Section D - Vacancies of Office
Section E - Duties of Office
ARTICLE IV Page - 10
Section A - Meeting Time and Place
Section B - Nature of Meetings
Section C - Special Meetings
ARTICLE VPage - 11
Section A - Process to Amend Constitution
Section B - Amendment Effective Date
ARTICLE VIPage - 11
Section A - Dues
Section B - Assessments
ARTICLE VIIPage - 12
Section A - Reasons for Dismissal from Club
Section B - Dismissal Procedure
Section C - Dismissed Members
ARTICLE VIIIPage - 13
Section A - Safe Diving Recommendations
Section B - Safety Procedures
Section C - Trip Notice
ARTICLE IXPage - 14
Section A - Derby Board / AA Rodeo / Contest Rules / Regulations
Section B - King Spearfisherman
Section C - Aqua Ace of the Year
Section D - Council Derby Board
Section E - Photography Contest
ARTICLE I...... Club Name and Purpose
Section A - Club Name
A-1This organization shall be known as the
Aqua Aces Diving Club of New Orleans, LA Inc.
Section B - Club Purpose
B-1To promote and encourage skin and scuba diving in
a safe and sane manner.
B-2To promote, encourage and aid in the instruction of the proper use of skin and scuba diving equipment.
B-3To promote sportsmanship, competition and good fellowship among members.
B-4To bring its members the sound benefits and
pleasures derived from organized activities.
B-5The Aqua Aces Diving Club provides a forum for those with a common interest in scuba and skin diving to socialize, compete and enjoy safe diving. The Aqua Aces Diving Club does not sponsor dive trips. Spearfishing has inherent risk involved and members acknowledge and accept this risk. Members are encouraged to obtain training and not to exceed the limits of said training.
ARTICLE II...... Club Membership
Section A - Types of Membership
A-1There are four types of memberships: Active members, Inactive Members, Prospective Members and Female Members.
A-2Active Members are defined as dues paying members in good standing.
A-2.1An Active Member has the right and responsibility to the club to: participate in discussions and vote at club meetings, attend club functions, hold club office and wear club colors in any manner that promotes the club or diving.
A-2.2An Active Member has the right and responsibility to the L.C.U.D.C. to: participate in Council functions, be a catch and/or weight witness and register points on the Council Derby Board.
A-3Inactive members are defined as non-dues paying members
who are unable to actively be involved in the Aqua Aces.
A-3.1An Inactive Member may: participate in AA discussions or wear AA colors in any manner that would promote the AAs or diving, but does not have the right to vote.
A-3.2An Inactive Member cannot be a catch or weight witness, or register points on the club or council derby board.
A-3.3To become an Inactive Member the person must notify a club officer of his/her intent and must be in good standing (i.e. his/her dues must be paid through the month that he/she becomes inactive.
A-3.4For an Inactive Member to become an Active Member, he/she must be voted in by a majority vote and pay the current months dues at the meeting in which he/she is voted into the club.
A-4Prospective Members are defined as non-dues paying members who have not yet met all the requirements to be an Active member. A Prospective Member is a person who has never been a member of the club, or a member who has resigned, or approved to becoming inactive from the club in good standing and wishes to rejoin.
A-4.1The Prospective Member to become an Active Member, he must be voted in by a majority vote and pay the current months dues at the meeting in which he is voted into the club.
A-4.2 Upon being voted in as an Active Member, any points that he would have earned in participation of club meeting,
functions, work parties, etc., during his/her internship will be awarded to him/her.
A-4.3In order for a Prospective Member to become an
Active Member, he/she must meet the club's membership requirements stated in ARTICLE II, Section B.
A-6Auxiliary Female Members - Aqua Aces are Co-ed as of 1993
Section B - Membership Requirements
B-1He/she must be 18 years of age of older.
B-2He/she must attend a total of five meetings within a reasonable amount
of time. (Duration to be determined by the club members.) Prospective
member must notify club officer to be excused from a meeting.
B-3He/she must be voted into the club by a majority vote of the Active Membership present.
B-4He/she must pay the current month's dues at the meeting in which he/she is voted into the club.
B-5He/she must purchase club colors consisting of: hat, jacket, 2 shirts and 2 patches from the club within 30 days of being voted in.
B-6He/she must be certified by a recognized diving organization to participate on scuba.
B-7He/she must make 3 gulf dive trips with at least two Active Members.
Section C - Manner of Election to Membership
C-1Election to membership shall be by closed ballot.
C-2A majority vote of Active Members is needed for acceptance.
Section D - Duties of Members
D-1Each member is considered a Safety committeeman: while every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of members: the club, and its membership, cannot be held responsible, or liable whatsoever, for personal loss or injury.
Section E - Maximum Membership
E-1Membership will be limited by discretion of the club.
Section F - Dual Membership
F-1Dual membership is defined as belonging to more than one diving club at the same time.
F-2No member of the Aqua Aces Diving Club may be a member of another diving club that is in direct competition (spearfishing, photography, etc.) with the Aqua Aces Diving Club.
ARTICLE III...... Officers
Section A - Titles
A-1The officers of the Aqua Aces shall be President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
A-2Board appointed positions: Safety Officer, Historian, Trophy Committee and Photography Committee.
Section B - Election and Tenure
B-1The officers of the Aqua Aces shall be nominated from the floor beginning at the last meeting in October. Final nominations and elections will be by closed ballot at the last meeting in December.
B-2A majority vote shall be necessary to elect. When there is only one nominee for office, he may be elected by voice vote.
B-3All Officers shall take office at the first regular meeting in January.
B-4An officer may succeed himself as many times as elected.
Section C - Eligibility
C-1Any Active Member of the club shall be eligible provided that: he/she is a member in good standing and has completed all of the membership requirements as stated in ARTICLE II Section B.
Section D - Vacancies of Office
D-1If any office becomes vacant, the President shall, at the earliest possible date, order a special election for the purpose of filling such office.
D-2The member thus elected shall immediately enter upon his duties and shall hold that office until the next regular election.
Section E - Duties of Office
E-1The President’s responsibilities are as follows:
E-1.1Preside at all meetings of the club.
E-1.2Call special meetings in accordance with ARTICLE IV, Section C.
E-1.3Appoint all committees not otherwise provided for.
E-1.4Make provisions for the discharge of necessary duties of absent officers.
E-1.5Ensure that the constitution of the club is enforced.
E-1.6Perform such duties that customarily pertain to the office of the President.
E-1.7 Have the authority to dismiss members from meetings.
E-2The Vice President's responsibilities are as follows:
E-2.1Be an aid to the President and in case of the absence or disability of the president, shall pro tempore the responsibilities of the President.
E-2.2Take charge of all competitions.
E-2.3Be responsible for keeping each member’s accumulated points.
E-2.4Be responsible for club fish registrations.
E-2.5Keep all club records, banners, trophies and everything else the club has won, unless otherwise designated.
E-2.6Notify the Council immediately of any change in the club's membership.
E-3The Secretary's responsibilities are as follows:
E-3.1Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings.
E-3.2At meetings, read the minutes of the prior meetings.
E-3.3 Conduct the correspondence of the club.
E-3.4Notify members prior to an amendment change and of nominations of officers.
E-3.5At the beginning of each year, he/she shall give to the new secretary a list of all new "by-law" changes.
E-3.6Every six months, give to each member a new club roster.
E-3.7Notify a member if that member's continued membership is going to be decided at the next meeting.
E-4The Treasurer's responsibilities are as follows:
E-4.1Collect all fees and dues.
E-4.2Pay all club approved bills.
E-4.3Render an account at each meeting of all receipts and expenditures.
E-4.4Report at each meeting, the standing of each member in regard to dues.
E-5The Safety Officer will be devoted to the promotion of diving safety within the club. He will have the power to recommend disciplinary action against those members engaging in dive related behavior which is deemed unsafe.
E-6The Club Historian will be responsible for collecting pictures and forming a scrapbook.
ARTICLE IV...... Meetings
Section A - Time and Place
A-1Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, as determined by the President. The meetings shall run from 7 p.m. until
9:30 p.m. at a place to be determined by the club at the meeting prior.
A-2If a club member is late for, leaves early, or is excused from a meeting: he loses his allotted points for that meeting.
A-3A member is permitted a 20 minute grace period.
A-4To be excused, a member must notify an officer in advance.
Section B - Nature of Meetings
B-1Each regular meeting shall be a business meeting, the purpose being to transact the business of the club: therefore parliamentary procedure will
bein effect.
B-2For Officer business to be discussed or voted on, half of the Active membership plus 1 or a majority must be present. Proxies will be allowed.
Section C - Special Meetings
C-1Meetings may be called by the President of the club when, after consulting the other elected officers, he/she is convinced that the need is sufficiently urgent.
C-2A special meeting shall be called upon demand of any 5 Active Members, regardless of the wishes of the president.
ARTICLE V...... Amendments to the Constitution
Section A - Process
A-1This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting by a 2/3 vote of the Active Members Present, or proxies. Members must be notified that the next meeting is for Constitutional Amendments.
Section B - Effective Date
B-1Amendments are effective at the next regularly scheduled meeting following passage.
ARTICLE VI...... Club Dues and Assessments
Section A - Dues
A-1The monthly dues shall be $7.00 per person or $10.50 per married couple, payable at any regular meeting.
Section B - Assessments
B-1An assessment may be voted on by the club membership for any club or council function. This assessment is to be paid within 30 days, regardless of the member’s attendance at the function or not, and regardless of his/her reason for not attending.
B-2Un-excused absences shall cost $1.00.
B-3 Upon a majority vote, an assessment can be waived if due cause if shown.
ARTICLE VII...... Dismissal from the Club
Section A - Reasons for Dismissal
A-1Missing 3 consecutive meetings without being excused by a club officer prior to the meeting.
A-2Not paying an authorized assessment with 30 days allotted for payments.
A-3Being over 3 months delinquent.
A-4Cheating on any Club sanctioned contest.
A-5A majority vote is needed to dismiss any member that is considered detrimental to the club.
A-6A member is allowed only 2 dismissals from the club.
A-7Dual memberships (see ARTICLE II, Section F)
Section B - Dismissal Procedures
B-1Members that are subject of dismissal will be brought to the attention of the President at regularly scheduled meetings.
B-2The President will attempt to contact that individual in person or by phone. In the event that the President cannot notify the individual, the President will direct the Secretary to notify the individual in writing (certified mail).
B-3The person should appear at the next regularly scheduled meeting and statewhy he/she should not be dismissed.
B-4The club will vote by secret ballot as to whether or not to retain the individual as a member. This will be decided by a majority vote, or proxies.
Section C - Dismissed Members
C-1In order for a dismissed member to regain membership in the club he/she must pay a fine of $25.00 to the club and be voted in by a majority vote of the members present.
C-2If a member is dismissed from the club, his/her fish and/or all credits earned, will not count toward any club award. (see ARTICLE IX A-11)
ARTICLE VIII...... Dive Trips
Section A - Safety Recommendations
A-1The "Buddy System" is recommended at all times.
A-2Members are advised to wear a knife, cable cutter, buoyancy compensator and pony bottle.
A-3Inexperienced members are recommended to dive with an experienced member when he/she makes his/her first gulf dive and should not exceed 100 ft.
A-4Members are recommended to acquire DAN insurance. (Divers Alert Network - Diving related insurance)
Section B - Safety Procedures
B-1Upon reaching the ladder, climb aboard quickly.
B-2Clear passage by the ladder for other divers.
B-3All spears and points shall be placed where no one can trip or injure themselves. (guns unloaded and points detached)
B-4It is advised that all members have knowledge of one or more methods of artificial respiration and C.P.R.. For additional tips, see Aqua Aces Safety Pamphlet.
B-5An O2 system is also recommended.
ARTICLE IX...... Annual Contest
Section A - Rules and Regulations
A-1 Any fish entered must be speared and brought to the point of entry (boat/land) by the member entering it. The only assistance which can be rendered by anyone, is from the waters surface and/or point or entry.
A-2To register a fish on the Club Board, a diver needs a weigh witness,
either from the club or the Council.
A-3The time of the contest shall run from January 1st through December 31st.
A-4All fish must be weighed on state certified scale.
(Certified by the Commissioner of Agriculture)
A-5No ties are allowed, the fish must better the weight of fish already on the board.
A-6Fish registration cards must be completed and received by an officer of the club or designated individual within 30 days of date shot.
A-7Fish must be weighed on a stationary fixed position. (oil rig platforms, land, etc. - NO BOATS)
A-8Buoyancy Compensator must not be used to land fish.
A-9Powerheads are forbidden in competition.
A-10No loaded guns are allowed aboard the boat.
A-11If a member resigns before the end of the competition year, he is not eligible for an award and his fish will be removed from the competition. If he has afirst place fish, it will be replaced by the second place fish and so on down the line.
Section B - KING SPEARFISHERMAN
B-1All fish placing on the Derby Board are eligible for cash awards or trophies (Divers Choice). The cash awards will be given as follows:
- King Spearfisherman - $50
- 2nd leading diver - $40
- 3rd leading diver - $30
- Each place thereafter $20.
B-2All fish making the Derby Board will be awarded points as follows:
(1st = 3 points / 2nd = 2 points / 3rd = 1 point)
B-3Points will awarded to the overall Derby standings for overall Skindiving
results as follows:
- 1st place overall = 3 points
- 2nd place overall = 2 points
- 3rd place overall = 1 point
B-4King Spearfisherman will be awarded to the diver accumulating the most fish points for the year. No ties are allowed. If a tie should occur, the winner will be decided by aggregate weight of the club board.
B-5All fish must be entered within 30 days of shot date. All others will be disqualified.
B-6L.C.U.D.C. (Louisiana Council of Underwater Diving Clubs) state competition rules will be used as guidelines for the Aqua Aces Diving
Club competition, except as voted on and added to the constitution.
B-6.1Sharks must have a minimal length of 4’ from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail.
B-7The Aqua Aces Diving Club will utilize club derby board rules for the Aqua Aces Spearfishing Rodeo competition.
Section C - Aqua Ace of the Year
C-1Aqua Ace of the Year participation points will be awarded as follows:
Points
1/4Attendance at the club meetings
1/4Lake or fresh water dives
1/2Attendance at any club function
1/2Attendance at any Council function
1/2Gulf Dive (per day)
1/2Out of State dives (per day)
1/2Any club related work for which you worked a six hour period
1Any rodeo you enter (ticket purchased)
1days diving competing in a rodeo (per day)
1Recruiting of a new member
3For every 1st place trophy won in Rodeo competition
2For every 2nd place trophy won in Rodeo competition
1For every 3rd place trophy won in Rodeo competition
6Any individual who win King/Queen Spearfisherman award of the Club, Council, or Rodeo.
½Anyone securing a sponsor for a fish category or specialty award for the Aqua Aces Spearfishing Rodeo.
C-2Aqua Ace of the Year points must be turned in within 30 days of the date of occurrence.
Section D - Council Derby Board
D-1The club will pay $15.00 towards the Council Spearfishing Derby Board for those Active Members with 20 or more participation points.
Section E - Photography Contest
E-1Black and white or color enlarged prints of any size will be eligible for competition.
E-2The winner will be decided by a club vote.
E-3All photos must be taken in the year of the contest and include the following information: name, month and year taken: where the photo was taken, and a brief description of the photo (this information must not be written on the back of the photo).
E-4All photos must be available for the first meeting in January at which time the winner will be determined.
E-5The club will not be responsible for lost or damaged photos.
E-6No more than three photos may be entered by any on club member.
E-7Any photo can be entered whether it is taken above or below the water providing it is dive related.
E-8Entrance fee is $5.00.
JANUARY 2000 - AQUA ACES DIVING CLUB
1
CONSTITUTION REVISION